The Roadmap An Associate s Degree Guide

Transcription

1 The Roadmap An Associate s Degree Guide

2 Person-to-Person Advising The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology prides itself in a personal touch in all that we do. This is particularly true of finding your way through your degree and program requirements, making course decisions, working out career plans, and simply figuring out what is best for you. Don t hesitate to seek answers to your questions from your professors or your assigned adviser. E-Advising Academic Advising Information on our associate degree curriculum and requirements can be found in the University s Bulletin or through with the appropriate adviser for your program. Advising contacts are listed below: Penn State Continuing Education at University Park Dana Aina - dpa2@psu.edu, Penn State World Campus psuwd@psu.edu, or elion The University also offers a convenient and secure on-line method to answer many basic academic questions and to prepare you for an appointment with your adviser. elion s web based service not only gives you real-time access to academic records, but has many additional features to assist you in achieving your academic goals. elion is typically operational twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Follow the STUDENTS category for information about specific features, and available times.

3 Destinations Careers... 2 Toolbox of Essentials: Becoming an IS/IT Professional... 2 The Roadmap IST Associate Degree (2IST) Options... 2IST Requirements... 4 Requirements for the Options... 5 Getting Your 2IST Program Started... 5 The 2IST Major Recommended Academic Plans: Information Sciences and Technology: Baccalaureate Option Information Sciences and Technology: Generalized Business Option... 7 Information Sciences and Technology: Individualized Option IST Major and Option Courses... 9 IST Around Penn State Penn State Campuses Offering the IST Degrees and Courses The Roadmap was accurate at the time it was uploaded to the Internet. Please check the IST web page for the latest news, course information and more:

4 Careers Observers of hiring trends in business, industry, and government agree: Demand is high for university graduates with the kind of knowledge, abilities, and skills IST students will have. Men and women with associate degrees in IST can expect to be competitive for positions in a wide variety of fields. Here are a few examples: Database Administrator Web Developer Computer Support Consultant Test Engineer Data Center Operations Support Information Manager or Technologist Local- and Wide-area Network Administrator Business Support System Technician Systems Analyst Media Technician Network Administrator Help Desk Analyst Network Support Technician Technical Support Specialist Toolbox of Essentials: Becoming an IS/IT Professional When Penn State developed the programs for the College of Information Sciences and Technology, it listened to what abilities and knowledge industry wanted from the next generation of information sciences/information technology professionals. The University continues t o tap into the latest collaborative thinking from professionals who have been tracking and distilling the trends for more than three decades. Penn State and the College of IST will help you develop these essential skills as you grow to become a well-rounded information sciences/information technology professional: Understanding Computer Applications Systems Management Information Systems Technology and Tools Problem Solving Interpersonal Relationships Communications 2

5 IST Associate Degree (2IST) Options The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology offers you three options in our associate degree program, including one that allows you to craft a course of study that suits your individual goals and one that exposes you to business practices and principles, and one that allows an easy transition to continue with the Bachelors of Science degree. Baccalaureate Option (2IST BACC) (Available at these Penn State locations: the World Campus.) This option provides maximum articulation with the baccalaureate degree. Students who complete this option will meet all lower division requirements for the baccalaureate degree. This is not the case with the remaining options, although the degree of articulation is quite high for all associate degree options. Generalized Business Option (2IST G BUS) (Available at these Penn State locations: Continuing Education at University Park and the World Campus.) This option enables you to specialize in the business areas of accounting, marketing, and management. Individualized Option (2IST INDIV) (Available at these Penn State locations: Continuing Education at University Park and the World Campus.) While our associate degree option in generalized business was designed with great care, you may find that it does not exactly suit your individual goals. This option requires you to work closely with an adviser to develop a plan of study that meets the dual objective of allowing a flexible academic program and providing a breadth of technical specialization. Courses taken at another institution will be reviewed on an individual case-by-case basis for relevance to your current academic program of enrollment.

6 2IST Requirements To earn your associate degree from Penn State s College of Information Sciences and Technology, you must complete at least 60 credits. To see how this all fits together semester-by-semester, check the Recommended Academic Plans on page 6, 7 and 8. You may wish to speak with your adviser because completion of some major requirements may satisfy general education requirements. To keep track of your academic program check the online degree audit available through elion. If you have in-depth questions, contact your adviser. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS For the Associate in Science degree in IST, a minimum of 60 credits is required. GENERAL EDUCATION: 21 credits (9-12 of these 21 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR) ELECTIVES: 2-6 credits REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: credits (This includes 9-12 credits of General Education courses, i.e., ALL options: credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GWS courses. The Baccalaureate Option also includes credits of GS courses to equal a total of 12 credits that double count; the General Business Option also includes 0- credits of GS courses to equal 9-12 credits that double count.) COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR (ALL OPTIONS): 0 CREDITS Prescribed Courses (26 credits) IST 110* (), 111S* (1), 210* (4), 220* (), 250* () (Sem: 1-2) ENGL 015 GWS (), CAS 100B GWS () (Sem: 1-2) CMPSC 101*GQ () (Sem: 1-2) IST 260W* () (Sem: -4) Additional Courses (4 credits) ENGL 202C () or 202D GWS () (Sem: -4) IST 295A* (1) or 295B* (1) (Sem: -4) Notes: All the courses marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed with a grade of C or better. IST 110 is a requirement for the 2 IST degree, and cannot double count as a GS. Abbreviations: GA: General Education/Arts GH: General Education/Humanities GHA: General Education/Health and Physical Activity GN: General Education/Natural Sciences GQ: General Education/Quantification GS: General Education/Social and Behavioral Sciences GWS: General Education/Writing and Speaking 4

7 Requirements for the Options (15-17 credits) Baccalaureate Option (17 credits) Prescribed Courses (1 credits) IST 20 () and IST 240 () (Sem: -4) ECON 102 GS() (Sem -4) STAT 200 GQ(4) (Sem: -4) Additional Courses (4 credits) Math 110 GQ(4) or Math 140 GQ(4) Generalized Business Option (15-16 credits) Additional Courses (15-16 credits) The student, with the concurrence of an adviser, selects credits from the following list of courses (Sem: 1-4) ACCTG 151 (), 152 (), 15 (), 160 (), 170 (), 211 (4), BA 250 (), MKTG 220 (), 221 (), 10 (), 27 () MGMT 100 (), 150 (), 21 (), 41 () ECON 102 (GS)(), 104 (GS)(),014 (GS)(), MATH 017 (GQ)(), 021 (GQ)() 022 (GQ)(), or 026 (GQ)() Individualized Option (15 credits) Supporting Courses and Related Areas (15 credits) The student, with the concurrence of an adviser, selects 15 credits or more in courses which follow a coherent theme in information sciences and technology. (Sem: 1-4) Getting Your 2 IST Program Started Your associate degree program in Penn State s College of Information Sciences and Technology is designed as a two-year course of study with summertime professional internships in business, industry, or the public sector. On the following pages you will find semester-by-semester plans intended as a guide for the 2IST degree, including the required internship students complete typically during the summer semester. Your plans and needs may require changes and modifications to this outline. Please stay in touch with your adviser to make the most of your IST experience. 5

8 Recommended Academic Plan Associate in Science Information Sciences and Technology Baccalaureate Option Semester 1 Credits Semester 2 Credits IST 110* Information, People and Technology IST 111* Seminar in IST IST 250* New Media and the Web ENGL 015 (GWS) Rhetoric and Composition CMPSC 101 (GQ)* Intro to C++ Programming or IST 297D* Intro to Application Programming IST 210* Organization of Data 1 IST 220* Networking and Telecommunications CAS 100 (GWS) Effective Speech MATH 110 or MATH 140 (GQ) Calculus or Calc with Analytic Geometry General Education (GN) Natural Sciences 4 4 Total Credits: 1 Total Credits: 17 Summer: IST 295A* or IST 295B* Internship (1) Semester Credits Semester 4 Credits IST 20*Language Logic and Discrete Mathematics IST 240* Introduction to Computer Languages ECON 102 (GS) Microeconomic Analysis and Policy General Education (GA) Arts General Education (GH) Humanities IST 260W* Intro to Systems Analysis and Design Any General Education Area GWS, GQ, GA, GH, GS, GHA STAT 200 (GQ) Elementary Statistics ENGL 202C or 202D (GWS) Effective Writing United States Cultures (US) or International Cultures (IL) 4 Total Credits: 15 Total Credits: 16 Summer: IST 295A* or IST 295B* Internship (1) * A grade of C or better must be earned in this course. This academic plan is a tentative guide. NOT all courses are offered every semester. Work with your assigned adviser to determine availability of specific courses. 6

9 Recommended Academic Plan Associate in Science Information Sciences and Technology Generalized Business Option Semester 1 Credits Semester 2 Credits IST 110* Information, People and Technology IST 111* Seminar in IST IST 250* New Media and the Web ENGL 015 (GWS) Rhetoric and Composition CMPSC 101 (GQ)* Intro to C++ Programming or IST 297D* Intro to Application Programming IST 210* Organization of Data 1 IST 220* Networking and Telecommunications CAS 100 (GWS) Effective Speech Business Option Course General Education (GN) Natural Sciences Total Credits: 1 Total Credits: 16 Summer: IST 295A* or IST 295B* Internship (1) Semester Credits Semester 4 Credits Business Option Course Business Option Course Business Option Course Business Option Course IST 260W* Intro to Systems Analysis and Design General Education (GA) Arts General Education (GH) Humanities General Education (GS) Social and Behavioral Sciences ENGL 202C or 202D (GWS) Effective Writing United States Cultures (US) or International Cultures (IL) Total Credits: 15 Total Credits: 15 Summer: IST 295A* or IST 295B* Internship (1) 4 * A grade of C or better must be earned in this course. This academic plan is a tentative guide. NOT all courses are offered every semester. Work with your assigned adviser to determine availability of specific courses. 7

10 Recommended Academic Plan Associate in Science Information Sciences and Technology Individualized Option This option requires you to work closely with an adviser to choose appropriate supporting courses which allow for a flexible academic program and a breadth of technical specialization. Semester 1 Credits Semester 2 Credits IST 110* Information, People and Technology IST 111* Seminar in IST IST 210* Organization of Data 1 IST 220* Networking and Telecommunications 4 IST 250* New Media and the Web ENGL 015 (GWS) Rhetoric and Composition CMPSC 101 (GQ)* Intro to C++ Programming or IST 297D* Intro to Application Programming CAS 100 (GWS) Effective Speech Approved Supporting Course General Education (GN) Natural Sciences Total Credits: 1 Total Credits: 16 Summer: IST 295A* or IST 295B* Internship (1) Semester Credits Semester 4 Credits Approved Supporting Course Approved Supporting Course Approved Supporting Course Approved Supporting Course IST 260W* Intro to Systems Analysis and Design General Education (GA) Arts General Education (GH) Humanities General Education (GS) Social and Behavioral Sciences ENGL 202C or 202D (GWS) Effective Writing United States Cultures (US) or International Cultures (IL) Total Credits: 15 Total Credits: 15 Summer: IST 295A* or IST 295B* Internship (1) * A grade of C or better must be earned in this course. This academic plan is a tentative guide. NOT all courses are offered every semester. Work with your assigned adviser to determine availability of specific courses. 8

11 2IST Major and Option Courses Here are courses being offered to you as part of our associate degree curriculum. Not all courses are offered at every campus each semester. Check the Schedule of Courses, to determine the availability of specific courses. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Common Requirements for the 2IST Major IST 110 Information, People & Technology () The use, analysis and design of information systems and technologies to organize, coordinate, and inform human enterprises. IST 111S Seminar in Information Sciences and Technology (1) Introduction to academic requirements, career planning, and information literacy for students majoring in the College of Information Sciences and Technology. IST 210 Organization of Data (4) Introduction to the concept of databases including the storage, manipulation, evaluation, and display of data and related issues. Prerequisite: IST 110 IST 220 Networking and Telecommunications () Introduction to digital network topologies; transmission media, signal modulation, digital packet switching and routing, systems integration, communications management, and security. Prerequisite: IST 110 IST 250 New Media and the Web () Introduction to how the World Wide Web utilizes emerging technologies. Students acquire conceptual understanding of constructing Web sites. Prerequisite: IST 110 or concurrent enrollment IST 260W Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design () Introduction to systems analysis and design, stressing the process of requirements acquisition, specification, design, and implementation. Prerequisite: IST 110, IST 210, IST 220, and ENGL 15 IST 297D Introduction to Application Programming () The focus of the course is on beginning programming principles as experienced in the context of objectoriented application development. IST 295A Distributed Team Project (1) Supervised experience in which student teams work on information system design projects gathered from industry or units within the University. Prerequisite: IST 110 OR IST 295B IST Internship (1) 150 hours minimum Supervised work experience where the student is employed in an information science and technology position in industry, government, or academia. Prerequisite: IST 110 Additional IST Courses IST 20 Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics () Introduction to formal languages, mathematical logic, and discrete mathematics, with applications to information sciences and technology. Prerequisites: Math 110 or Math 140 IST 240 Introduction to Computer Languages () Introduction to the specification and application of languages and language paradigms which interact with computers Prerequisite: CMPSC 101 or IST 297D; Concurrent: IST 20 9

12 Penn State Campuses Offering IST Degrees and Courses IST Around Penn State You may wish to consider building on your associate degree in IST by seeking a bachelor s degree. Select the campus most convenient to you from the list below and contact the academic offices there for further information. Locations Offering the Associate Degree Program Penn State Beaver Penn State Berks Penn State Continuing Education at University Park Penn State DuBois Penn State Fayette Penn State Hazleton Penn State Lehigh Valley Penn State Mont Alto Penn State New Kensington Penn State Schuylkill Penn State Shenango Penn State Wilkes-Barre Penn State World Campus Penn State Worthington Scranton Penn State York Locations Offering the Bachelor s Degree Program Penn State Abington Penn State Beaver Penn State Berks Penn State Brandywine Penn State Greater Allegheny Penn State Harrisburg Penn State Hazleton Penn State Lehigh Valley Penn State Mont Alto Penn State New Kensington Penn State Schuylkill Penn State University Park Penn State Wilkes-Barre Penn State World Campus Penn State Worthington Scranton Penn State York This publication is available in alternative media on request. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 28 Boucke Building, University Park, PA ; tel /V, /TTY. U.Ed. IST